Pressure regulator



Felix-15, 1955 J, H, CQFFEY 2,702,048

PRESSURE REGULATOR Filed April 21, 1952 United AStates Patent O This invention relates to the general -art of pressure p ice,`

lower end and a small opening 27 at its upper end. A

f clamping llange 28 engages the annular lip 29 to clamp regulators and isparticularly directed t improvements` and devices for regulating water pressure supplied to sprinklers. The `purpose of the device is to maintain a substantially uniform pressure at the sprinkler even when the supply pressure iluctuates between unit pressures above the desired value.

When a series of sprinklers are connected to the same pressure supply pipe the loss in pressure caused by the length of the supply pipe may adversely atect performance of the sprinklers near the end of the line. Furthermore, if the supply. pipe is laid over uneven ground the variation in hydraulic head causes a variation o f pressure at the sprinklers with the result that the sprinklers on the highest ground do not have adequate pressure for best performance.

It is an object of this invention to provide a water pressu're regulator at each of the sprinklers which will maintain substantially uniform pressure to the sprinklers regardless of their relative elevation or their position along the length of the supply pipe.

Another vobject is to provide an improved form of water pressure regulator which is rugged and dependable and not apt to get out of order.

Another object is to provide a device of this type which has an externally accessible adjustment means so that the pressure to be maintained can be adjusted within limits.

A more detailed object is 4to provide a pressure regulator having an internal tlexible cell upstream from a ilow regulating valve. l

Another object is to provide such a device which may be economically manufactured on a quantity basis.

Other and more detailed objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

Figure l is a perspective view showing an irrigation pipeline having sprinkler assemblies mounted at in tervals along the length of thepipe a'nd positioned at different elevations. Y,

Figure -2 is a longitudinal sectionalv view showing a preferred form of pressure regulator incorporated in each of the sprinkler assemblies.

Figure 3 is a sectional view similar to Figure 2 showing the movement of the parts when water pressure is delivered to the regulator.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 as shown in Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, the water pipe generally designated may comprise a plurality of sections 11 connected by couplings 12. A sprinkler assembly 13 may be provided on each of thecouplings 12. Each of these assemblies includes a rotary sprinkler 14 of any suitrable or desirable type. Each of the assemblies 13 also includes the pressure regulator 15 embodying my invention. 'As shown in Figures 2-4 of the drawings, the pressure regulator 15 iiiludes a body orvshell 16 having a central axial passage therein. The inlet end of the sprinkler 14 is connected to the shell 16 by means of the nipplel 17. The inlet end of the shell 16 is connected b y threads 18 to the tubular support ring 19. A nipple 20 is threadthe lower end of the rubber sleeve with respect to the stationary bridge 22. The clamping ange 28 may be formed integrally with a bolt memb'er 30 which extends through the central axial opening 31 in the bridge 22. The securing nut 32 brings the member 28 into metal-tometal engagement withthe bridge 22 and applies co pressive stresses lto the lip 29. The bolt member includes ah upstanding post 33 which is telescopically received within the lower end of the stem 34. The post 33 and stem 34 extend axially of the shell 16 and the stein 34 extends through the small opening 27 in the upper end of the exible sleeve 25.

A valve element 35 is provided with a central bore to receive the upper end of the stein 34-and a clamping/nut 36 clamps the valve elementp35 to the upper end of the rubber envelope 25. A washer 37 engages the shoulder The valve element 35 is provided with: a bulbous enlargement 43 which cooperateswith the annular shoulder 44 within the shell 16 to provide a restricted tluidpassageway 45. When the valve element 35 moves upwardly as shown in Figures 2 and 3 with width of the passageway 45 is increased, and conversely, when the valve element moves downward the width of the passageway 45 is decreased. Figure 2 shows the position of the parts when no lluid is passing through the device. Figure 3` shows the position of the parts when water under pressure passes through the interior of the shell 16. The pressure of the water causes the rubber envelope 25 to contract radially between the convolutions of the coil spring 39, thereby shortening the over-all length of the internal assembly, and thereby moving the valve element 35 downward to reduce the width of the restricted fluid passageway 45. As the valve element 35 approaches the annular shoulder 44 the water ow is chocked down so that the pressure above the valve element 35 is less than the pressure upstream from the shoulder 44.

The operation of the pressure regulator depends upon a balance of forces. The ,water pressure around the ilexible cell 24 causes it to shorten and draw the valve element downward toward the annular shoulder 44. The initial stress in the spring and the additional stress as the cell shortens, and also the difference in water pressure above and below the valve element tends to lengthen the cell and move the valve element laway from the shoulder 44. This balance of forces depends upon the initial setting of the valve element relative to the shoulder 44, the

diameter of the ycell 24, the diameter of the bulbous part of. the valve element 35 as compared to the diameter of the cell 24, the initial stress in the spring, and the stress required further to compress the spring.

lf it should be desired to change the pressure downstream from the valve element 35, this may readily be accomplished by loosening the lock nut 46 and causing relative movement of the shell 16 and support ring 19 along the threads 18. 'Ilie axial movement of the shell 16 relative to the bridge 22 results iii changing of the initial position of the valve element 35 with respect to the annular shoulder 44. Therefore, if nozzle sizes are changed in the sprinkler 14 the pressure regulator can ed to the ring 19 at 2lv and serves to connect the pressure regulator to the coupling 12.

A bridge member 22 is fixed to the support ring 19 by means ifv the iis or ribi23f. thThtils b iiijlge 2112 serves ilu rt or the ower en o e exi e ce genera y a suppo mb.

' designated 24. 'Ihis cell 24 includes a cy within limits be adjusted lto spray the new nozzles at the same pressure as was formerly applied to the old nozzles. Also, if it is desired to operate the same nozzle sizes at higher or lower pressures, this can also be accomplished within limits by adjusting the relative axial positions of the support ring 19 and shell 16 along the threads 18. A l

Having fully described my ihvention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be hmited to the details herein 3 setforth.hntinyiiiventlonisofthefullscopeofthe appendedclsill;

l. A pressure responsive member for use in a pressure regulator of the type having a shell adapted to conduct uid, a restricted throat in said shell and an element movable axially within said shell relative to said restricted throat providing a restricted uid passage of variable width the combinationv of: a flexible cell `including a resilient envelope extending axially ofsaid shell upstream from said restricted fluid passage and having a side surface exposed to pressure of uid passing' through said shell, the cell having one end secured against axial movement and the other end secured to said movable element, means within the envelope acting to move said element in a direction to increase the width of the restricted passage, the pressure of the uid onthe side surface of the envelope acting to contract the envelope radially to move said element in a 'direction to decrease the width of said restricted passage. v t

2. A pressure responsive member for use in a pressure regulator of the type having a shell adapted to conduct uid, a restricted throat in said shell and an element movable axially within said shell relative to said restricted throat providing a restricted uid passage of variable width the combination of: a llexible cell including a cylindrical rubber envelope 4extending -axially of said shell upstream from Asaid restricted uid passage and having its outer surface exposed to pressure of tluid passing through said shell, the cell having one end secured against axial movement and the other end secured to said movable element, and a spring within the envelope acting to move said element in a direction to increase the width of the restricted passage, the pressure of the uid on the outer surface of the-envelope acting to contract the envelope radially to move said element in the vopposite direction against the action of the spring.

3. A pressure responsive member for use in a pressure regulator of the type having a shell adapted to conduct uid, a restricted throat inv said shell and'an element moyable axially within said shell relative to said restricted throat providing a restricted uid passage of variable` width the combination of: a fiexible cell including a resilient envelope extending axially of said shell'upstream from said restricted uid passage and having a side surface exposed to pressure of uid passing through said shell, the cell having one end secured against axial moveto increase the width of the restricted passage, the pressure of the fluid on the outer surface of the envelope acting to contract the envelope radially between the convolutions of the spring to move said element in the opposite direction.

surface of the envelope acting to contract the envelope radially to move said element in the opposite direction.

5. A pressure responsive member for use in a pressure regulator of the type having a shell adapted to conduct uid, a restricted throat in said shell and an element movable axially within said shell relative to said restricted throat providing a restricted fluidv passage of variable width the combination of: a flexible cell including a resilient envelope extending axially of said shell upstream from said restricted iuid passage and having a side surface exposed to pressure of uid passing through said shell, a tubular support ring connected to the shell in 4. A pressure responsive member for use in a pressure regulator of the type having a shell adapted to conduct width the combination of; a flexible cell includinga resilient envelope extending axially of said shell upstream from said restricted uid passage and having a side surface exposed to pressure of uid passing through said shell, the cell having a first end secured against axial movement and a second. end secured to said movable element, and means within the envelope.actin g to move said element in a direction to increase the width of the restricted passage, the pressure of the tuid on the side coaxialrelationship, means accessible exteriorly of the shell for adjusting the relative axial positions of the shell and support ring, the cell having one end secured to the support ring and the other end secured to'said movable element, and means within the envelope acting to move said element in a direction to increase the width of the restricted passage, the pressure of the iluid on the side surface of the envelope ac'ting to contract the envelope radially to move said element-in a direction to decrease the width of said restricted passage.

6. A pressure responsive member for use in a pressure regulator of the type having a shell with a tubular support ring threadably connected to the shell in coaxial rela- I, tionship and being adapted to conduct water therethrough and also having a restricted throat therein with an element movable axially within said shell relative to said restricted throat providing a restricted uid passage of variable width the combination of: a liexible cell including a rubber envelope extending axially of said shell upstream from said restricted fluid passage and having a side surface exposed to pressure of the uid, the cell having one end secured'to the tubular support and the other end secured to said movable element, and a spring within the envelope acting to move said element in a direction to increase the width of the restricted passage, the pressure of the uid on the side surface of the envelope acting to contract the envelope radially to move said element in the other direction.

7. A pressure responsive member for use in a pressure regulator of the type having a shell adapted .to conduct uid therethrough and having internal means forming a flow-restricting port therein, and an axial movement valve element positioned adjacent said port, comprising: a tiexible cell including a resilient envelope extending axially of said shell upstream from said restriction and having a side surface exposed to pressure'of uid passing through said shell, the cell having one end secured against axial movement and another end secured to said movable valve element, the pressure of the uid on the side surface of the envelope acting to contract the envelope radially and to move the valve element axially in a direction to further restrict ow through said port, and a spring within said envelope acting tomove the valve' element axially in the other'direction.

UNIT ED STATES PATENTS References Cited in the le of this patent 118,755 Spooner --.l Sept. 5, 1871 l,l84,940 Fulton May 30, 1916 1,220,823 Burke Mar. 27. 1917 1,659,704 Rhodes Feb. 21,1928 2,192,548 Gunderson Mar. 5, 1940 2,376,634 Tellkamp May 22, 1945 2,569,285 Brown Sept. 25, 1951 2,583,384 Mercier Jan. 22, 1952 

